Erika Apelgren shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Erika, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been finding a lot of joy in my morning dream-weaving and gratitude practice. I take a few minutes each day to write down my dreams and reflect on what they’re showing me, and then I list a handful of things I’m grateful for. It’s become a grounding ritual that really sets the tone for my day and keeps me feeling centered and inspired.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Erika Apelgren, a Sweden-born, Los Angeles–based multidisciplinary artist working across acting, modeling, screenwriting, directing, and visual storytelling. My work centers on character-driven, atmospheric narratives, and I’m currently working on developing and packaging feature projects. My artistry lives at the intersection of narrative film, emotional depth, and mood-driven storytelling.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I’m releasing the hyper-independent version of myself, the one who thought she had to carry everything on her own. I’m stepping into a phase where I allow support, collaboration, and care to meet me. Saying yes to help is becoming a new form of strength. As an artist, letting myself receive ideas, guidance, care, and community has opened up a whole new level of creativity and connection.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You don’t have to earn your worth, you already are enough. You’re allowed to take up space, to dream big, and to trust your voice. And please know this: you’re not too much, and you’re not too little. Your sensitivity is your superpower, and one day it will become the very thing that shapes your art and your life.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I don’t know if people are getting it ‘wrong.’ Everyone has their own journey and their own timing. But I do think many people are focused on things that keep them disconnected from themselves. A lot of us grow up conditioned by survival, expectations, and the external pressures of life, so we don’t learn how to feel deeply, question reality, or tap into our inner gifts. For some people, a spiritual awakening may not be part of their soul contract in this lifetime, and that is okay.
Even without an awakening, there is so much magic in simply being alive. Waking up in the morning is a miracle. Being able to move, breathe, and speak are things we often take for granted. Appreciating the small, ordinary aspects of life is a powerful way to reconnect with yourself. Gratitude is one of the most transformative practices we have, and it can shift a person’s entire experience of themselves and the world.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand that feeling deeply is a strength, not a weakness. Most people are taught to numb or avoid their emotions, but emotions are information, guidance, and connection. When you stop running from them, they become a compass. I also understand that our lives are not random. The people we meet, the challenges we face, the things that break us open, they are all part of a larger story. When you view life from a soul perspective, everything becomes more meaningful, even the hard moments. And above all, I understand that your inside is your outside, and your outside is your inside. It is all a mirror. As above, so below. The inner world creates the outer world, and our thoughts, beliefs, and emotional landscapes shape how we experience everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.erikaapelgren.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/erika.apelgren
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/erikaapelgren
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/erikaapelgren
Image Credits
Mark Steines, Paul Rivera
